Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-02-19
The SPECTRAL MORTGAGE.
A Genuine Ghost Story.
Frank r, Stockton in The Century.
CHAPTER III.

tnlng was done 1Or MIN tnaC reSpect
and affection could dictate, and no
one mourned his death more heartily
than /. If ] could have had my way
he would have lived as long as /, N.Y.
self, remained upon this earth.
When everything about the house
had settled down into its accustomed
quiet, ] began to look out for the
coming of the expected ghost. I felt
sure that 1 would be the one to whom
he would make his appearance, and
with my regret and annoyance at his
expected coming was mingled feel
ing of curiosity to know in what form
he would appear. He was not to
come as John Hinckman-that was
the only bit of comfort in the whole
affair.
But several weeks passed, and
saw no ghost, and began to think
that perhaps the aversion I had
shown to having such an inmate of
my household had had its effect, and
| was to be spared the infliction.
And now another subject occupied
my thoughts. 1t was summer, the
afternoons were pleasant, and on one
of them | asked Belle to take walk
with me. l would have preferred
Madeline, but she had excused her
self as she was very busy making
what | presumed tC be an altar cloth
for Pegram. 1t turned out to be an
afghan for his baby carriage, but the
effect was the same: she could not 60
When could not have Madeline
liked very well to walk with Belle
She was pleasant girl, and in these
walks [ always talked to her of Cren.
shaw. My desire that she should
marry my friend grew stronger daily
But this afternoon Belle hesitated
and looked a little confused.
81 am not sure that 1 shall walk
today"
"But you have your hat on"
urged, 81 supposed you had made
ready for a walk"
"No," said she, 81 thought would
go somewhere with my book"
"You haven't a book" 1 said,
looking at her hands, one of which
held a parasol.
"You are dreadful exact" she re.
piled, with a little laugh, 81 am 90.
ing into the library after one" And
away she ran.
There was something about this
did not like. 1 firmly believed she
had come down stairs prepared tC
take walk. But she did not want
me; that was evident enough.
went off for long walk, and when
returned supper was ready but Belle
had not appeared.
"She has gone off somewhere with
book" 1 said. "I'll go and look
for her."
l walked down to the bosky grow,
at the foot of the lawn, and passed
through it without seeing any sign!
of Belle. Soon, however, I caught {
sight of her light dress in an oper
space little distance beyond me
Stepping forward few PAGES l had {
full view of her, and my astonish
ment can be immagined when I saw
that she was standing in the shade 0
tree talking to young man. Hi
back was turned toward me, but
could see from his figure and genera
air that he was young. His hat wa
little on one side, in his hand h,
carried a short whip, and he wore {
pair of riding boots. He and Bell,
were engaged in very earnest con
versation, and did not perceive me
[ was not only surprised but shocked
at the sight. / was quite certain
Belle had come here to meet thi
young man, who, to me, was a tota
stranger. I did not wish Belle t.
know that I had seen her with him
and SO 1 stepped back out of thei
sight, and began to call her. 1t wa
not long before / saw her coming to
ward me, and, as expected, alone
Indeed" she cried, looking at he
watch, 81 did not know it was s.
late"
"Have you had pleasant tim
with your book ?" 1 asked, as W
walked homeward.
81 wasn't reading all the time,
she answered.
asked her no more questions. ]
was not for me to begin an inqusi
ton into this matter. But that nigh
/ told madeline all about it. TIL
news troubled her much, and Xix
myself she was greatly grieved a